Funding Davis Schools: The Ongoing Challenge

On June 30, 2010 the Board of Education of the Davis Joint Unified School District adopted a budget for the 2010-11 school year.  This is a legal obligation, despite the fact that there is no budget in sight from the state of California.  Budget documentation is available on the DJUSD website and the District Dollars website has been updated.

Since 2007-08, the Davis Joint Unified School District has lost over $9 million in general fund revenue from the state.  This does not include $5 million of unfunded inflation increases (i.e. COLA), and amounts to 15% of district revenue.  In all, state funding has decreased by $1,165 per pupil.

In response, the district has reduced programs and positions by $2 million in 2009-10 and more than $2 million for 2010-11.  In total, 65 full-time equivalent positions have been eliminated, 6% of the district’s workforce.  This has resulted in increasing class sizes K-12 and reduced administrative, secretarial and maintenance services to support safe campuses.

To soften the blow of state funding reductions, the district also implemented several one time solutions as part of their 2010-11 budget.  These include closing the budget gap with:

• $1.9 million in reserve funds;
• $1.8 million in transfers from previously restricted program funds, reducing or eliminating those services;
• $1.2 million in employee salary reductions in exchange for five fewer days in the school year; and
• $1.5 million in donations from the community.

The district cannot count on having these one-time options available next year.  In adopting the 2010-11 budget, the DJUSD Board of Education acknowledged it must address the district’s $4.5 million structural deficit by submitting a list of ongoing budget reductions to the Yolo County Office of Education by December 15, 2010.

Administration continues to monitor the state budget situation for its impact upon the district’s financial stability.  Any further reductions will increase the district’s deficit.

Though the outlook is discouraging, there is reason for hope.  In his last communication to the DJUSD community, former Superintendent James Hammond noted, “There remain challenges ahead for California school districts, but Davis is better prepared than most to meet them.  I commend Board, staff and community for their determined efforts to protect our students.”

The Board of Education is considering asking voters to approve a special parcel tax to protect and maintain the quality of Davis schools.  Though no decision has yet been made, discussion will continue in the fall.